This is a small selection of some of the photos and stories that I have gathered in my ongoing project Looking Forward: Portraits from an RV.
In this project, I attempt to collect the stories and portraits of people from around the United States. I live and work from my 1988 Toyota Seabreeze RV, which I have renovated to include a small darkroom. As I travel, my goal is to present a contemporary portrait of America by reaching out to people on their own terms.
As a way to connect the various subjects, everyone later receives a card in the mail: The story and portrait of another subject, from a different place. I gather these stories and portraits with the hope that we will foster more empathy for our fellow Americans, to find what brings us together rather than what keeps us apart, as well as to create a cohesive document of this country during our time. By being open to anyone, and by having no stipulations as to who I want to photograph, I am able to gather a truer reflection of the variety of individuals who I share a nation with. I give the subject the chance to speak first, to let them tell me their story where they are most comfortable, to allow them to share memories and aspirations and what it means to be American.
I intend for this work to continue and expand into the coming years. Though I pursue other projects, Looking Forward: Portraits from an RV is not only a storytelling journey, but also a primary focus of my devotion to large-format film photography and traditional darkroom practice. I hope that through my photographs and gathered narratives, I can present a wide and cohesive portrait of the Americans that make up my country. No matter what beliefs we hold, I know our stories are what make us and what shapes this land.
